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The Molar Express
History and Purpose. This project is the result of several years of research and planning to find ways of providing dental services for north country residents who experience barriers to accessing dental care in traditional dental practices. The project consists of Phase 1, the creation of a mobile dental service model; and Phase 2, the development of one or more fixed public health dental office sites. Phase 2 is envisioned to begin planning in year three of the overall project (2007-2008). A Mobile Service Model Phase 1 of the Molar Express consists of two mobile dental chairs (operatories) that provide high quality dental care on-site in schools, hospitals, health care clinics and other community locations. This part of the project is modeled on Access Dental Care, a program developed in Greensboro, NC, that provides dental care to special populations. More information about the Access Dental Care program is located at: http://www.accessdentalcare.org. How It Works The Molar Express mobile model uses a customized truck to transport state-of-the-art dental operatories, consisting of high quality equipment adapted to be easily portable, to community locations such as schools, medical clinics and hospitals in northern Grafton and Coos Counties. Equipment is transported to the community location where it is unloaded from the truck and the dental office is set up. At the end of each local stay (a few days to a week, depending on the schedule and local need) the equipment is re-packed back on the truck for transportation to the next local site. The Molar Express Team includes a dentist, registered dental hygienist and dental assistant who travel with the truck to the local sites, as well as a project manager and clerical support. The Molar Express works with existing school-based and voucher programs for both children and adults. Coordination of patient care is an extremely important component of all patient encounters. Services Provided The Molar Express truck is equipped with two full dental operatories, able to provide services typically found in any general dental practice including:
As the project progress a sliding fee scale (estimated to provide a 50% discount from customary charges) is available for people who have income at 200% of the Federal Poverty Level or less. Payment plans are also available. Community Education and Outreach Many people consider oral health signs and symptoms to be less important indicators of general illness. As a result, people may avoid or postpone needed care, making the problem worse and potentially leading to other health problems. A critical component of The Molar Express is client education to increase the public’s understanding of the meaning of oral health and the relationship of the mouth to the rest of the body. To this end, the project includes education and training on oral health care to health and human service professionals and complementary social marketing activities targeting the general public. Funding The Molar Express is funded by grants from the NH Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid program, the Endowment for Health, the Delta Dental Foundation, the Cogswell Benevolent Trust and the hospitals in the North Country. After the startup phase the program will be funded through operating revenue. The Role Of The North Country Health Consortium The administrative home of the Molar Express is the North Country Health Consortium (NCHC) . NCHC employs the project staff, purchases and maintains equipment, manages scheduling of appointments, maintains the electronic dental records, provides care coordination services, is responsible for billing, provides quality assurance and program evaluation functions. North Country Health Consortium Members:
Additional invaluable assistance has been provided by NH Department of Health and Human Services Oral Health Program (Concord); NH Department of Health and Human Services, Berlin District Office; Northern NH Area Health Education Center (Littleton); the Berlin Dental Task Force and the Grafton County Dental Task Force. For more information, please contact:
North Country Health Consortium, Inc. 646 Union Street, Littleton, NH 03561 Phone: (603) 986-5485 or e-mail: molarexpress@nchcnh.org
646 Union Street, Suite 400 • Littleton NH 03561 • 603-444-4461 (phone) • 603-444-4460 (fax)
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